Phytoestrogens—the isoflavone compounds found in soy—are nonsteroidal plant hormones that are structurally similar to estrogen. They can bind to the two types of estrogen receptors in the body, known as ERα and ERβ, 3 and typically prefer the latter of those two receptors.
Soy milk does contain phytoestrogens (an estrogen-like hormone found in plants such as whole grains, potatoes, dried beans, and apples), but there’s no scientific evidence to date that drinking soy milk is harmful to children or adults. People have been drinking soy milk since the 1960s without ill effect.
An answer is that soy is rich in B vitamins and a good source of omega-3 essential fatty acids. It is present in many foods, including meat products and meat substitutes, cereals and baked goods. Although soy is recognized for its health benefits, the isoflavones in soy may disrupt hormones.
Do soy products really contain estrogen?
You may have heard that soy should be eaten in moderation due to its ability to mimic estrogen in the body. Soy has been eaten in Asian cultures for a very long time in the form of tofu, miso, tempeh and soy milk. It is true that soy contains phytoestrogens, but they act as a very weak form of estrogen.
Does soy milk affect estrogen levels?
Most research suggests that moderate consumption of soy products, including soy milk, does not affect estrogen levels. This has been shown true among premenopausal women in a large meta-analysis.
This begs the query “Does eating soy increase estrogen production?”
Soy protein-containing foods, like tofu, textured vegetable protein and edamame, do not significantly increase estrogen levels in either men or women. Soy may have mild, beneficial anti-estrogenic or estrogenic effects, depending on your time of life.
Does soy mess with testosterone?
The researchers found that soy protein or isoflavone intake had no significant effects on testosterone. Neither total nor free testosterone was negatively affected by dietary soy in any of the studies. Research that did show a lowering of T by soy had serious methodological flaws, rendering the findings useless.
1 cup sweetened soy yogurt1/4 block extra-firm tofu1/2 cup shelled edamame.
What are the side effects of soy milk?
These include: A rash on the main part of the body or in the genital areaAn enlarged lymph node in the neck. Extremely red eyes without a thick discharge. Red, dry, cracked lips and an extremely red, swollen tongue. Swollen, red skin on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet, with later peeling of skin on fingers and toes.
What are the dangers of drinking soy milk?
, 1 Soybeans contain large quantities of natural toxins or “antinutrients”. Soybeans are dangerously high in natural toxins called anti-nutrients. In fact, just two glasses of soy milk daily can alter a woman’s natural monthly cycle.